H.D. Kote: The Forest Department officials are making all efforts to trace and capture the wild tigress that was spotted near Karapura Kabini River Lodge (Jungle Lodges) coming under Nagarahole Wildlife Sanctuary.
The ‘Operation Tiger,’ which began yesterday, continued today also with the Forest Department summoning Dasara elephants Abhimanyu and Arjuna to assist them in the combing operation.
The wild tigress spotted on Friday created tension among the residents of Karapura and tourists staying in the lodge forcing them to stay indoors. Forest officials, numbering about 50, led by an ACF, RFO and staff, who inspected the spot yesterday, confirmed the presence of the tigress and alerted the higher officials. The wild cat is said to have moved besides the generator room of the lodge as pug marks were found there.
One of the two Dasara elephants brought in to assist the Forest Department staff.
An officer said that they have installed camera traps at various places to help them capture the movement of the tigress which would help them in tracing and finally capturing it.
Yesterday morning at 2.45, the camera traps have captured the movements of the tigress and the Forest Department officials said that the tigress had strayed out of the forest accidentally.
Forest Department officials checking the fence from where the
tigress is suspected to have entered.
Sources said that the Department officials have made all preparations to capture the tigress and were waiting for permission from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to tranquillise the animal.
The presence of the tigress has caused anxiety among the tourists numbering about 60 who are staying in the lodge. The operation to capture the wild feline was underway when we went to the press.
This post was published on November 6, 2017 6:47 pm